Mighty Oak Academy Parent/Family Handbook 2021 - "We are all neighbors whose hearts are abundantly blessed to love beyond our own power." Dr ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Mighty Oak Academy
Parent/Family Handbook
2021
“We are all neighbors whose hearts are abundantly blessed to love beyond our own
power.”
Dr. Kathy Y. StovallThe purpose of this handbook is to provide a reference for parents and students regarding general policies, information, and events at our school. We hope you will read this handbook, share it with your child and discuss. We also encourage you to consult our school website regularly for up-to-date information about specific events and accomplishments. This handbook will be updated as needed, families will be notified when updates are made to this handbook.
The Heart of the Principal
Hello Mighty Oak Academy Family:
It is a delight and honor to provide educational services to your child and your family,
as a part of Mighty Oak Academy. Welcome to our school!
My commitment to you is to ensure that each day your child will experience a healthy
educational environment that brings excitement and a love for learning. I recognize that
each child is unique in their own way and I believe that their uniqueness when
supported empowers them to dream big and achieve their potential.
My love for education is driven by the many opportunities inside and outside of the
classroom that inspired me to want to learn. The people that taught me we were extra-
ordinary in that they had a heart for change and believed that every opportunity to
learn creates change.
The heart of Mighty Oak Academy will be that every staff person’s welcome mat and
their open-door will proclaim to our students and you that our students are loved, it is
safe to learn and that they can dream and believe that their dreams can come true.
I hope that as we team with you, we will all begin by focusing on empowering all
aspects of our children’s lives and that you too will feel empowered through our
partnership to grow your knowledge and skills that feed your hopes and dreams for
your child. Be well this school year and know that your child is safe, loved, and will be
taught.
Blessing and peace,
Dr. Kathy Y. Stovall
“It is not beyond our power to create a world in which all children have access to a
good education. Those who do not believe this have small imaginations.”
Nelson MandelaThe Pillars of Mighty Oak Academy
We Believe
• Students all are unique in their
needs, their learning styles and Our Vision Statement
thought processes; therefore, they
are motivated in different ways. A partnership between family and
community will support students in
• Parental engagement and family becoming global citizens who are
support are necessary to motivate independent thinkers that are self-
students for optimum success in discipline and committed to loving
education. others and their community.
• Students are entitled to a socially,
emotionally, and physically safe
learning environments.
Our Priority Goals
• Students learn to be productive
citizens, when given a stimulating • Student Achievement with
environment, have enough time to integrity
learn, and experience diverse • Student Leadership that builds
opportunities through community and character for service
collaborative partnerships. • Collaboration that engages
families and community
Our Priority Goals
1. Mighty Oak Academy priority is to
advance Student Achievement with
integrity so that students begin by
acquiring basic read, writing, and math
skills that they can authentically Values
engage in standard curriculum • Community
components such as literacy, language
arts, social studies, and Science,
• Achievement
Technology, Engineering, Art and Math • Self-Sufficiency
(STEAM). • Humility
2. Develop Student Leadership that
builds character through active
engagement in their community and
homes.
3. Build Collaborative Partnerships
with families that support them being
actively engaged in their children’s
educational journey and to inform and
involve the Portland community (i.e.,
health providers, social services, and
employers) in deliberate and
purposeful partnerships.School Schedule
School Hours
K-8th grade
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday
School Address
344 North 26th Street
Louisville, KY 40212
School Email
admin@mightyoakacademy.org
School Phone
(502) 272-0786 #3
Staff Hours
Classroom Staff
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
School Mascot
The Lion
After-school Programming
TBDARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE Morning Drop Off All children will enter the building through the front door. We ask that you drive around to the back of the building where you will find spots for turning your vehicle around and then pulling forward to the front side of the building where your child can safely be dropped off in the driveway. At the front door, the staff will take attendance and the temperature of your child. Please do not leave the campus until we have confirmed your child’s temperature. Afternoon Pick Up All children will be dismissed from the back of the building. Please form a line along the side of the building into the back parking lot. You do not need to exit your vehicle. Young children will be escorted to their vehicle. We ask that you please be cautious and safe when driving. ATTENDANCE According to state law, children must attend school regularly. We take attendance daily. Absences Absence should be reported to the school via email or text before schools starts on the day of the absence. When calling please state the child’s name, teacher, and reason for absence. If absences are not reported by 8:30 a.m. you will be called and/or emailed. Our excused absence policy is for: • Illness • Religious holiday • Death of a family member • Vacations not causing an absence more than 3 days total. An Absence Request form must be filled out and turned in prior to a planned absence for an absence to be excused. If your child has an appointment during the school day, please do not let that be a reason your child not come to school. Student may come to school as late as 11:00 a.m. to avoid being counted absent. Every hour of learning is important. Excusing Students From Classroom No student will be dismissed from this school unless a parent/guardian has sent a written notice to the principal or school email admin@mightyoakacademy.org. Tardies Repeated tardiness or absences can be considered truancy and will result in an intervention by the school staff. Tardy: 8:31 a.m. up to 2-1/2 hours Half-day absence: 4.0 hours
Absence Request Form
_____________________________________ _________________________
Student Name Student Grade
Reason for Absence
5Sick 5Appointment 5Family Emergency
5Other ______________________________________________________________
Date of Absence:
___________________________ through _________________________
Beginning Absence End Absences
Month/Day/Year Month/Day/Year
Excused Absences are:
Sick with parent note Bereavement (immediate family) Court Dates
Sick with doctor note Medical Emergency.
Parent Printed Signature: __________________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________
Parent Signature DateCELEBRATIONS Birthday Celebrations We ask parents not to bring in sweet treats for their student’s birthday celebration. Non-food celebrations are an excellent way to support the schools, commitment to promoting healthy behaviors. By implementing this plan, we provide our students a consistent message about the importance of their health and support the classroom lessons on the positive impact of a healthy lifestyle. Our teachers are excited to be bringing many fun and creative ways to celebrate your child’s birthday with their classmates. Holiday Celebrations It our desire to honor the diversity that makes up our school. Therefore, we will learn about and explore diversity as relates to all aspects of life. Student will be encouraged to learn about diverse groups. This will include learning about different types of celebrations and practices. We will celebrate holidays by first learning about them and then exploring their meanings. During these celebrations if food is shared it must be pre-packed (COVID and Health Restrictions), avoid high sugar and salt content. CLASSROOM COMMUNICATION All classrooms teachers have an email address and will correspond first by email/phone and then hard copy. Teachers will provide monthly Acorn Newsletter informing parents of lesson plans and upcoming classroom activities. They will also provide weekly reports to address academic concerns that are pressing. CONFERENCES Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled in the fall and late winter. The fall conference provides an opportunity for parents and the teacher to share information about the child and develop an individual learning plan as well as learn about their child’s academic progress to that point. During the late winter conference, the teacher informs parents about their child’s successes and gains in school. Please make every attempt to attend conferences during the designated period. Additionally, parents or teachers may request special conferences at any time during the school year. The principal may set in on these conferences. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES Staff is expected to immediately report to the administrator any contact with any contagious disease. Parents are also expected to report to the school principal any contact with any contagious diseases.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) At the time of the writing of this policy, there are still many unanswered questions about Coronavirus as well as changing guidelines for reporting the coronavirus illness. As the CDC and State Health Department issue guidelines, we will share the guideline and write policies accordingly. Positive Testing If students or family members are sick with symptoms associated with Coronavirus (check CDC guidelines for symptoms) you are required to get a COVID test before coming to school. The school requires proof of a positive test for the student to receive an excused absence. The school requires proof of a negative test to return to school. If one student from the same family test positive and another test negative the student testing negative may come to school as long as the positive student is quarantined from the other family members. Travel Out of State If a student travels out of the state for an extended period (weekend or longer) a COVID test is required before returning to work. A 14-day quarantine may be required if state and CDC officials are recommending testing. The Vaccine Currently, taking the coronavirus vaccine is a choice of each person. Not taking the vaccine does not exclude a student from school. Wearing Mask Student are required to always wear a mask and or face shield when in school or on school grounds. Handwashing and Hand Sanitizer The school requires students to use hand soap and hand sanitizer at school all during the day. Daily Temperature Check The temperatures of students are taken daily at the front door. Student must not have a temperature that is 100.1 or above.
Coronavirus Assessment Have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 48 hours: 1. Fever or chills 2. Cough 3. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 4. Fatigue 5. Muscle or body aches 6. Headache 7. New loss of taste or smell 8. Sore throat 9. Congestion or runny nose 10. Nausea or vomiting 11. Diarrhea Within the past 14 days, have you been in close physical contact (6 feet or closer for a cumulative total of 15 minutes) with: § Anyone who is known to have laboratory-confirmed COVID-19? OR § Anyone who has any symptoms consistent with COVID-19? § Travelled outside of the United States. § Are you currently waiting on the results of a COVID-19 test? FLU Flu shots are a choice. Students with flu symptoms or flu-like should stay at home until well. The school should be notified of flu diagnosis. COURTESY GUIDELINE (Please review the following with your child): 1. Respect others with kind words 2. Do not touch others without their permission 3. Be empathetic to another’s situation 4. Use appropriate volume levels when speaking to others – No yelling or screaming 5. Use respectful language – No profanity. 6. Share materials. After using playground or gym equipment, return to the appropriate areas. 7. Do not push, shove or fight – No touching. 8. Use all equipment safely, including do not climb high or jump from slides, fences, or equipment. 9. Do not leave grounds without permission.
DRESS CODE
We would like parent support for appropriate dress. Students should dress according to
the weather and occasion. Please encourage students to wear proper footwear to be
ready to participate in Physical Education or outdoor play. No inappropriate or
questionable symbols or language should be on clothing.
In times of warmer weather, shorts are permitted. During warm weather please have
your child dress appropriately by discouraging wearing of halter tops, spaghetti straps
or bare midsections, in upper grade levels especially. Once we are going outside in cold
weather on a consistent basis, it is important that students dress warmly. This includes
coats, boots, hats and mittens for all students and snow-pants. Please write students
names in clothing that is taken off at school.
EARLY DISMISSALS OR LATE ARRIVALS:
Whenever possible, students are encouraged to make medical or other appointments
after school hours or on weekends. In the
ELECTRONIC DEVICES (cell phones, iPod, Chromebooks, etc.)
Electronic devices are NOT to be visible at any time during the school day. All electronic
devices must be turned off and stored in personal property for the school day. It is
recommended that students do not bring electronic devices to school.
FAMILY CHANGES
If your family has experienced a difficult change in family circumstances due to illness,
death, or divorce, please contact the school. Many resources as well as small group
discussions are available to assist your child to manage these changes. Please speak to
the principal, classroom teacher or social worker.
LEAVING CAMPUS
Students are not permitted to leave campus once they are inside the building. Leaving
the campus without authorization will result in the student, parent and staff meeting.
LUNCH
Students are not permitted to bring outside food into the building for consummation.
Daily we will provide a breakfast and lunch as defined by the USDA School Lunch
Program. The school lunch menu will be sent to you on Monday morning. Our lunch
focus is to have no processed foods. Our meals are prepared at Porkland BBQ.
Beverages provided daily are:
Water Milk and 100% fruit juiceTable Manners
Students are expected to use table manners while eating. Table manners include but is
not limited to:
§ Using utensils appropriately.
§ Not talking with food in mouth.
§ Not throwing food.
§ Not touching other students’ food.
§ Saying please and thank you.
§ Using napkins.
§ Staying seated while eating.
§ Appropriate table conversation
1. Lunchroom staff monitor eating and encourage sampling of all food items served.
2. Students are asked to move to another seat if they are having difficulty.
3. When students are finished eating, they should follow recycling and trash
procedures.
Nutritious Food Consideration
Nutritious Food Items Food for Thought- Not Nutritious
Homemade sandwich on whole wheat bread or Pre-packaged entrees
whole grain bread. No breads with high sugar Lunchables, Uncrustables , etc.
content such as white bread
Fruit cups High sugar content food
Fruit Snacks, candy, snack cakes, gummy bars
granola bars,
Fresh Fruit High salt content food
All variety of chips
Apple sauce Fruit juices
Fresh Vegetables (cooked and uncooked)
Tuna and crackers
Salad
Soup
Ants on a log
Fresh berries
Carrots and ranch dip
Roasted turkey sandwich
Fresh pasta salad with shredded chicken
Peanut Butter and Banana sandwich
YogurtHEALTH REQUIREMENTS 1. Students are required to provide proof of up-to-date immunizations, or documentation exempting them from specific immunization, upon entering school each year. 2. Vision screening 3. Dental exam 4. Physical exam 5. Sports exam for extra-curricular HOMEWORK 1. Homework will be purposeful and at the appropriate level for students. 2. Homework will be able to be completed without excessive adult help, time, or resources. 3. Homework will foster responsibility, organization, and time management skills. 4. Homework should allow for family time and extracurricular activities that nurture the whole child. 5. Homework should include nightly reading. 6. Work not completed in class, when given time, will be completed at home. INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR 1. Teasing/name calling 2. Cheating 3. Disrespect of property 4. Stealing 5. Lying 6. Blurting out 7. Leaving the classroom without permission 8. Throwing objects 9. Items/behaviors that disturb the class 10. Overly rough play during any activity including sports/games LIBRARY Students may check out books from the library every Friday when there are no other books already checked out. Students are expected to take care of books and to return them in the condition they were found. Students may write book reports for extra credit. Independent book reading and reports received 50 points. Reports must follow MOA guidelines of neatness and grammar rules. ILLNESS
One of the goals of health services is to assure a healthy environment. Many students and families are frequently concerned about when students should stay home or attend school. The following information is intended to help with this decision. 1. If a student has a fever of 100 degrees or more, he/she should stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal without fever-reducing medication and he/she feels well enough to participate in classroom activities. 2. Please report to the health office if your child has a recent onset of a cough or sore throat with that fever. 3. If a student has vomited or had diarrhea, the student should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode. 4. If a student has any rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown, check with your family physician before sending the student to school. 5. If a student is ill at home, please call the school attendance line daily to report the reason for absence. It is helpful if specific symptoms and/or diagnosis are reported. 6. Coronavirus-COVID-19 (See alphabet listing under C) MEDICATIONS We do not supply or administer any non-prescription medication. If a student needs to take any medication during school hours, please completely fill out the Medical Authorization form, have the form signed by the prescribing physician and return it to our office to be placed in the student’s folder. All prescription containers must be current and match the authorized prescription. No over the counter drugs can be administered by anyone on staff. Parents are to pick up their child’s prescriptions that are kept at the school at the end of the school year. PROGRESS REPORT Report cards are issued twice a year, accessible online. This report reflects the student's performance. Student achievement is graded by subject. Student progress is also reported in effort, work habits, social growth, and behavior. SCHOOL CLOSURES The directive to close school comes from the executive director and the principal. When weather or other emergencies pose danger for students the decision for school cancellations or late starts will be announced by 7 am. It is important for parents to plan for their children in case of early dismissal from school. Please be sure to communicate this plan carefully to your child and to complete the Emergency Release Plan form. SNOW DAYS Predictions of snow and snowfall is not an automatic school closure. Because we serve students that live in our community and students are within walking distance of the school, a closure is not always our first option. When making decisions about school closures or delays the safety of staff and students will always be in the forefront in our mind.
School closures and delays will be announced at 6:30 a.m. You may also check Facebook and our student communication line. When the school is on a two-hour delay student may be dropped off at the school as early as 9:00 a.m. Please notify the principal of your plans before dropping off a student to ensure staff is on site. WEATHER POLICY Our weather policy is to do our best to ensure the safety of all our students. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case occurrence. Weather Related Early Dismissal Early dismissal is announced via text, webpage, Facebook, and email. No child will be dismissed without an adult being contacted. VALUABLES AT SCHOOL It is not advised that students bring items from home on a regular basis such as trading cards or other toys. These items are distracting and, if lost, can be very disappointing for students. Trading of objects, toys or cards is not allowed on the playground. VISITING CLASSROOMS Due to the Coronavirus pandemic visits to the school are not allow at this time. The family is welcome to visit our website at www.mightyoakacademy.org for updates on our school you are also encouraged to join us on Facebook and Instagram.
You can also read
